beardsley



R. F; BEARDSLEY.

TOY 0R THE-L|KE. I

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 5.4914.

' Patented Aug. 8,1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

R. F. BYEARDSLEY.

TOY OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION mwuov. 5, 1914.. 1,1 9,975. Patented Aug. 8,1916. 4 SHETSSHEET 2.

R. F. BEARDSLEY.

TOY OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 5. 19M.

1.,1 93,975., Patented Aug. 8,1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

R. F. BEARDSLEY.

TOY OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION 'FILED NOV. 5, 1914.

1 9 1 93,975 Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

UN Saa'ras PM ROBERT F. B AnnsLE Y, or cnrcaeo, ILLINOIS, assieivoia r0 HENRY w;. .ANGSTEN,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TOY on THE LIKE.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that 1, ROBERT F. BEARps- LEY, a citizen of the United States, residmg at Chicago, in the countyof Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain -new and useful Improvements in Toys or the like, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class of inventions known as toys or amusement devices, and relates particularlyto building or constructing toys,'or more specifically, a.

is without limit, depending entirely upon' each individual person.

The invention has among its objects the production of a toy, game device or the like, consisting of new and novel articles, by

means of which simple, complex, ornamental, amusing, instructive, useful, and pleas- 5 ing articles-may be constructed. The same 1s entertaining for children, and even perjcombination other uses.

sons of older years, and desirable for train-' ing the mind and sharpening the inventive faculties of the user.

It has among its further objects the production of'the new and novel parts herein set forth, arranged or adapted to be used in or singly, with other toys or for from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts. herein shown and described," and more particularly pointed ou in the claims, Y

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative structure constructed with a number of the different partsillustrated in detail in the other figures; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the preferred form of structure hoard; Figs. 3, 1 and 5 are similar views of a slightly different or modified form of the same; Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 6, 6 of Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a perspecti e iewof one f rm of c vering Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

Application filed November 5,1914. Serial No. 870,338.

member; Fig. 8 is a similar view of a slightly diflerent form; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a framing member-which may be employed; Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the illustrativestructure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a, perspective view of a portion of.

the same, illustrating a portion of the construction; Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are perspective views illustrative of other forms of covering members; Fig. 15 is a view in elevation illustrative of a wheel constructed with parts illustrated in some of the other fig-. ures; Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of a structure, illustrating a modified constructiomFig. 17 is substantially a secments; Fig. 19'is a perspective view illustrativeof'an ornamental fastening or cover for use in building structures; Fig. 20 is a similar view of another form; Fig. 21 is a plan view of a piece of structure board, illustrating a modified punching; Fig. 22 is a view in elevation illustrative of a detail in construction; Fig. 23-is a sectional View illustrative of the application of the invention herein described to other building toys;

Fig. 24 is a'perspective view of my preferred form of fastenii-g member; Figs. 25 to 4.2 inclusive are perspective views of the same member, or portions thereof, bent or cut, or both, illustrating several of the innumerable ways in which the fastening member may be employed, and Fig. 43' is a perspective view of another form of fastening.

It may be mentionedthat the complete toy or device consists of suitable sheet body material, which may be termed a structure board or base of suitable material, a plural-.

ity of fastening members of suitable shape and materiahand covering members also of suitable matenal, shape, size, etc., by means of which a complete structure may be built,

that is attractive and ornamental. With a toy of this kind, or the articles ,herein described, a structure may be built that is complete and has the appearance of the actual structure'after which it is modeled, as distinguished from a mere bare skeleton or framework,which when built does not in any way, with but few exceptions, resemble.

the article patterned after. The body material, which, as stated, may

be termed the structure board or base, is preferably of cardboard, fiber board, or the like, of the desired size and thickness. The preferred form of board is punched or otherwise suitably formed at the factory, so that suitable fastening means may be employed for' attachably or detachably securing the In the drawings I have parts together. shown several forms of punching, that shown in Fig. 2 being preferred. Referring to this figure, .1 represents the structure board, which is punched or cut with slotted apertures 4 therein, and with holes 5, as shown, at the ends of the adjacent slots. The holes 5 may be round, square, or as desired. The preferred form of structure board shown in Fig. 2 may be said to be provided with a plurality of series of disconnected slotted apertures, arranged in parallel lines lengthwise and across the sheet, the same being so disposed that a plurality of squares are formed, and having apertures at ,the corners of the squares or adjacent the ends of the adjacent slots. The punching of the board l shown in Fig. 3 is arranged in a slightly different manner, and additional holes similar to 5 may be arranged in the board, if desired (not shown). Another arrangement is shown in board 1, shown in Fig. 4, and still another form in the board 1 shown in Fig. 5. These several forms'are merely for illustration, and other forms, as for example, shown in Figs. 18 and 21, are illustrated in the drawings. The various slots or perforations in the board permit the boards to be assembled and secured together by suitable fastening parts, in a simple, easy manner without requiring a knife, punch or other tools.

My preferred form of fastener for securing or locking the structure board parts together to form any desired'structure or article is illustrated in Fig. 24, in which 2 is a plate or sheet of suitable material, preferably metal of light weight that is easily bendable Without the use of tools, and yet when bent will retain its shape, and which may be cut as desired. As shown, the plate 2 is preferably cut square and provided with a plurality of tongues or prongs 6, and with openings or perforations 7, as well as a central aperture 8. The fasteners when constructed for my particular structure board, as for ex ample the form of board shown in Fig. 2, are so proportioned that the prongs 6 may be bent, for illustration as shown in Fig. 25, so

. that they mayaline with the openings 4 in the board. At the same time the perforations or openings 7 and 8 register with the slotted openings 4 and hole 5 in the board, back of the plate, as will be clear by reference to Figs. 1 or 10. The slots 4 in the preferred construction of board are of suflicient width, so that more'than one tongue may be pushed through and bent over or engaged on the opposite side, i. a, clenched (see Figs. 1

and 16). At the same time the plate 2 per-.

mits the tongues or other parts to engage through holes 7 or 8 with theslots or apertures in the board, that is the fastener and board slots and holes register, and every aperture in the board is displayed even when the fasteners are in-place. The plates 2 may be bent, out and formed to provide practically an unlimited variety of fasteners, the same depending upon the particular structure in which they are to be employed and the ingenuity of thebuilder. In Figs. 25 to 42 inclusive, I have shown plates bent, out and formed for different uses not necessary to set forth herein. The builder, however, is

not confined to these few forms shown, butcan readily construct or design his own. 'As shown in Fig. 30, a portion of the plate may either be bent back or cut off to form the corner brace, as shown in Figs. 11 or 16. In Fig. 32 the plate is shown partially cut away to form a plate 2", which may be; bent or formed, as for example as shown in Figs. 33 and 34. portion of the plate 2, which may be used where it is desired, is shown in Fig. 35, while in Figs. 36, 37 and 38 the remaining portion of the plate indicated by the character 2 is shown in different forms for application in otherwayst In Fig. 39 the same is formed into the shape of a member 2 In Fig. '42 the plate 2 is shown cut and bent to form a base for a column or pillar, that is,-for securing the column to a base or top, etc. Another style of fastener 12 is shown in Fig. 43', this being illustrated in use in Fig. 1. 'While the fastener2 shown, is the preferred form, it is,-of course, obvious that any other forms may be employed, or the builder might take light tin or the like and make his own special fasteners of any size,

shape, form, or the like, to complete a structure. However, any material may be used and formed up, preferably that which is of such weight that it will bend easily and yet retain its shape. The same may be colored, painted, or the like, as I .further refer to. There will be some cases perhaps where rods, bolts, or the like, may be preferred to connect the parts, and when such is the case they may be readily employed with my improved structure board as required.

The perforations or slotted apertures or openings 4 and 5 in the structure not only afford a quick and convenientmethod of detachably securing the parts together by means of the fasteners described, but also have the additionaL functions of serving asan aid to fastening the covering mater al in place when that is constructed as 1 lustrated in the drawings, or in an'equivalent manner.

In Fig. 7 I have shown the covering member 3 flanged at the sides and ends as at 14, 15,,and provided with atongue or prong 16 at each end, the tongues belng separated a dist-ancecorresponding to the distance be thereabout, and with a plurality of tongues 19 on the sides and ends. This particular member will engage or look in adjacent holes or slots 4. These particular members shown in Figs. 7 and 8, may be constructed v of a size and suitably colored to represent one or more bricks, stones, blocks, or the like.

In F 9 a frame part 20 is shown, pro- "vided with tongues 21, this forming a very convenient covering or frame for a window opening. (See Fig. 10). Of course the size may be as desired, and if sufliciently large, may serve as a door openlng frame.

In Figs. 12, 13 and 14:, other forms of covering are shown, in which 23 represents 'a board or siding preferably flanged as at 25 on each side or edge, and on the ends (not shown) if so desired. This particular part is shown with tongues or prongs 24 on one side only. The board or member 26 shown in Fig. 13 is flanged entirely about the edges and provided with tongues 24 at.

the sides and ends. Member 26 is similar except of smaller size; The sizes and shapes of the various parts may be varied, of course, as "preferred. The purpose of flanging the members about the edges and ends will be further referred to, this giving .a

' neater and more finished appearance when embodied in a structure.

The parts may 'be combined-in I ways (not fully'shown) to make wheels,

the like, can be furnished with the ."set, or

sold separately, they may be readily constructed by the builder along the lines indicated in Fig. 15. i In completing a structure with the structure board fasteners and covering mentioned, the structure board or the frame-- work of the building, or other article to be constructed, is cut as desired, and the parts firmly secured together by means of the fasteners 2. In this connection it may be mentioned that the slots being regularly spaced, distances or lengths may be readily measured off by counting the lines of slots, etc. This saves time and -gives accurate cutting, as rules and squares, and even compasses are not needed to layout the work.

In Fig. 1, I have'illustrated a small house various ber of bricks, boards, or thelike, etc. Fig. 16 I have illustrated two methods of made up of the structure board 1, the same being secured together by the fasteners 2, arranged ,in various ways. I have also shown in this figure a structure board 1", similar to the board 1, except that the per- 7 forations 5 are omitted. This board is shown covered with bricks 3, boards similar vto 26, as well as boards similar to 23. It

will be noted that the boards 23 form' a very neat roof and may be applied to form siding, or a tile roof effect may be obtained by using bricks on the roof similar to parts 3. Ihave illustrated at the under side of the edge of theroof how a board 26 may becut down, asat 26, so as to fit the other so parts and form a neat, attractive structure. In this connection it may be mentioned that anyof the parts for covering-the device may be constructed of such a material and of such weight that it may easily be cut by 35 shears or the like, a light weight tin being found very satisfactory. I have shown in" this figure a part of a fence, in which are embodied the fasteners 12, shown in Fig. 43,

it being understood, however, that any other style of fasteners may be employed for the same purpose. An illustrative front of the structure shown in Fig. 1, is shown in" Fig. 10. It will be noted by referringto this figure that boards similar to 23 or 26 are employed in making a door frame, a-win dow frame 20 similar to that shown in Fig.

9 being also employed. This figure also illustrates how the fasteners 2 may be formed and employed in connection with a wire, or equivalent member 22, to form hinges for supporting the door. The bracing of the "structure, as well as the securing of the parts together, is very clearly illustrated in Fig. 11 (also 17), in which mentioned, this part may be cut in two to formtwobraces, or folded over so as to be clenched both ways, as indicated at the right hand side in Fig. 10.

1 Where it is not desired to employ the covering members previously'described to cover over the structure board to, improve the ap- Y pearance, the structure board itself may be suitably lithographed, or otherwise printed,

painted, or the like, to give-an attractive appearance,.or the .same may be covered by li'thographed paper orisheet metal, which is lithographed or painted in the form of brick, or other material, or ornamental design, each piece representing a great numcovering the structure board. Referring to. this figure, the structure board 1 is secured together by the fasteners 2, or the equivalents. On the right hand side I show the 13 I tongues'6 covered by paper, metal, or the tirely covered. On the left hand side I have shown the paper or covering 26 attached to the structure board covering holes or openings 4, except where the tongues 6 are pushed through to clench. In this case the fasteners may be painted or colored. The advantage of using a cover is that the slots or perforations in the board are completely covered, the same as if the covering members previously described were employed. These constructions are illustrated in the sectional view shown in Fig. 17. In Fig. 18 a slightly modified board is shown, in which, in addition to the slots 4 and holes or apertures 5, excess material may be removed, leaving openings or holes 9. This is, of course, true with any of the forms of structure board shown, or their equivalents. In this figure I have also illustrated a door 32.

This door may be constructed by lithographing the door directly on the board, or by making a paper cover or a covering 32, similar to that shown in Fig. 20, having tongues 33 thereon, which lithographed or painted door may be secured on suitable structure board. The same may be hinged as previously described, or the tongues 33 bent to form hinges. This type of hinge is illustrated in Fig. 22, in which the board 23, for example, has the tongues 24 bent over rod or bolt 35. This is a convenient construction for window blinds or the like. If

desired, a sliding door, may be constructed,

' 19 is illustrated a frame 29, lithographed as at 30 and provided with tongues 31, the same being suitable for a Window. This is merely a suggestion.

The structure board herein previously described is particularly intended to be punched or cut at the factory. If desired, however, a punching tool may be included with the outfit, by means of which cardboard or the like may be employed where additional structure board is required In Fig. 21 I have illustrated a plain board 36,

-which may be perforated about-the edge, or.

as desired, as for example, as at 37, by any suitable tool. Any form of punching may, of course, be employed.

Fig. 23 is inserted to illustrate how the structure board 1, and any suitable covering 3 may be employed in connection with some of the Well known building toys now on the market. I particularly refer to those toys in i which towers, bridges, buildings, cars, and the like, may be constructed of bars or rods,

and which when made are merely the bare ished article, correctly representing the model followed. In this case 34 may represent a metal bar or the like, typical of most of those other sets. My structure board may be secured thereto by bending the tongue 6 of the fastener over or about'the bars 34, or by otherwise securing the structure board shown in place.

It will be readily seen from the preceding that with my improved set, structures of various kinds and of a nature with which the child is thoroughly familiar, or which he may observe in his home vicinity, may be finished complete, and when so finished will actually resemble the subject, and not require a mostvivid stretchof the imagination to guess what it represents. By means of this set he may build houses, fences or skyscrapers, railroad stations, bridges, tunnels, tanks, derricks, wind mills, etc., and can also build wagons, carts, automobiles, sleighs, merry-go-rounds, locomotives, ra1lroad and street cars, steamboats, battleships, or other vehicles and the like. These,

when completed, will each be a true like-' ness, of the real "article, and not a bare framework or skeleton. In this connection it might be mentioned that the various toys constructed may be covered'with prints or pictures from advertisements, .newspaper and magazine cutsand illustrations, or plain paper or other material used and painted as desired. For instance, a battleship might be constructed in every detail with the materials herein set forth, the out side coveredor waterproofed by painting or placing oil cloth, canvas, tin, or the like, over the outside, making a serviceable, staunch and rigid construction, entirely and accurately modeled after an actual vessel.

.It is not necessary to use the particular tin covering illustrated in the drawings, as ordinary sheet tin might be employed, the

other hand a child oradult may construct waste paper baskets,-boxes, picture frames,

lamp shades, and. many other articles that v are attractiveand ornamental, useful or desirable about the .home, play room, ofiice, store, shop, or the like. Likewise the outfit may be used for commercial'purposes by architects, engineers, designers, and the like, for setting up or constructing 'a model building, machine, article of furniture, or the like. Many other things not referred to may be constructed, it being impossible to anticipate and mention them all, as the results depend entirely upon the age and ability of the builder, his skill and inventive faculty. As before mentioned, it may be used with any of the building toys now on the market wherein skeleton frameworks may be constructed, thereby completing andmaking trueto life and accurate, devices 1 I that may be made with those sets.

WVhile the parts herein enumerated comprise my preferred set, or combinations-of parts, additional elements, such as ornamental features or coverings, gear wheels,

shafts, bolts nuts, fasteners, and the like, may be used therewith, or on the other hand only portions of my outfit may be used with equivalents for other parts of the outfit with the same or similar results.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention;

' hence I do not wish to be understood 'as able material, provided with suitably disposed apertures therein, means for detachably securing said parts together, as desired, fcomprising a plurality of fastening members, each'constructed of bendable material and having parts arranged to engage the structure board in the apertures formedv therein, and covering means for said structure provided with fasteners arranged to engage in said structure board slots, and clench on the opposite side thereof.

2. A structure board of the kind described, consisting ofasheet of suitable material provided with a series of regularly disposed disconnected slots therein.

3. A structure board consisting of a sheet of suitable material. of the desired thickness and size, and provided with a series of slotted apertures therethrough, extending lengthwise and transversely across the sheet. 4. A structure board consisting of a sheet of suitable material provided with a pluralslots in each line and a'plurality of disconnected slots also arranged in series in parallel lines, and at right angles to thefirst mentioned slots, and in lines extending be tween the ends of the first mentioned slots.

5. A structureboard consisting of a sheet of suitable material, said sheet substantially divided into a plurality of regular sections by a plurality of disconnected slotted-apertures disposed in regular lines lengthwise.

and across the sheet.

6. A structure board oonsistingof a sheet of suitable material, said sheet substantially divided into a plurality of rectangular sections, a plurality of series of disconnected slotted 'apertures disposed' in regular lines thereof, and provided with suitably disposed slots therethrough, with a central aperture proximate the adj acentends ,of said slots.

9. A fastener ofthe kind described, consisting of a rectangular shaped piece of sheet metal having a projecting tongue at each edge near each corner, and provided with a centrally disposed aperture and disconnectedslots extending radially from the central aperture at substantially right angles to the sides of the plate.

10. In a toy of the kind described and in combation, a sheet metal plate provided with a central aperture, and with radially extended slotted apertures therethrough, and with tongues at the edges of the plate. 11. A cover member of the kind described, consisting of a sheet of suitable material, flanged about the edges thereof/and provided with suitably disposed tongues extending from the free edges of said flanges.

12. In a toy of the kind described and in combination, a plurality of pieces of structure board, each consistingof a sheet of suitable material provided with a plurality of disconnected apertures disposed on the sheet :in regular order, means for securing said sheets together, as desired, comprising a plurality of fasteners, each consisting of a sheet metal plate having extending tongues at the edges thereof, so disposed as to fit and extend through desired apertures in said structure'board, and of a length to project beyond the opposite-face of the board and be clenched thereat, and means for covering said structure board and fasteners, comprising a plurality of covering members, each consisting 'of a sheet of suitable material 136 formed as desired and provided-with suitably disposed tongues arranged to extendthrough the apertures in said structure board and be clenched thereat.

13. The combination of a structure board of bendable fracturable material having a plurality of suitably disposed apertures therein, and a plurality of bendable fastening members, each provided with tongues 10 about the edges thereof, and with apertures signed my name in the presence of two subscrlblng witnesses.

ROBERT F. BEARDSLEY.

I Witnesses:

RoY W; HILL, CHARLES I. COBB. 

